Saturday, November 27, 2010

Fifi Flowers is offering an amazing Artful Giveaway! You will love her style and panache. Her art is wonderful for collecting as well as gift giving. Below is just a small sampling of her art and my interview with Fifi.

"Art is an experience that transcends all cultural boundaries.....it makes us feel!"

KA: Who or what first inspired you to start painting?

Fifi: I was first inspired to paint when I realized I could not afford a REAL Henri Matisse painting and began copying them. My first reproduction was A View out of Paris apartment window!

KA: How do stay motivated to create new art consistently?

Fifi: Seeing things that surround my daily life online is what motivates moi to paint… there are so many FABuLOUS photos online… visiting blogs, socializing via online media and photos scream to moi PAINT ME!!! Anddddd I am always snapping photos via my iphone of things in the REAL world and magazines aussi!

Fifi: I started blogging in April of 2008. My maman told me about blogging… she read about in the Wall Street Journal and then I read about “paintings a day” in Domino magazine. I visited the Painting a Day website and read that you must have a blog for at least 4 months to be considered… sooooo I began blogging… then I started an Etsy account and here I am!

KA: What are your next projects or shows coming up….?

Fifi: Next project… Welllll I’m VERY EXCITED about this coming year as I will be getting back to my REAL passion… painting on canvas!!! Anddd I’m hoping to do more art trunk shows and some gallery showings… and of course I’m hoping to make a trip back to PARIS!!!

Eiffel Music Room

Note Card Sets

Eiffel Tower Theme

Red Umbrella Set

Fifi says life should be full of WHIMSY and FUN... beautiful things that surround her daily life are what inspire her to paint!

Pink Tulips

Pink Bicycle Image

Street Cafe and Red Wine Painting

Eiffel Tower Walk with Scottie

Parisian Rooftops Painting

Fifi has a bachelor's degree in Art and a minor in Art History from California Polytechnic University and attended UCLA Film School for Production Design.

She is so delightful and you can see her personality shine through in her works of art!

In this Giveaway Fifi is offering:

1) One 8 x 10 original acrylic work of art on archival paper of Winner's choice

2) One 2011 Calendar of Winner's choice

3) A set of 10, 4 x 6 Note Cards of Winner's choice

This Art Package has a value of $200.

Paris Style Christmas

1) To win this great package become a follower of mine on this site or mention that you are already following me

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

I am so excited to announce our new Giveaway from Jane Schott, The Empress of the Eye. She has offered a pillow from The Forest Fables Collection in either Black and White, or Fuschia and White. This Fabulous Down Filled Pillow has a $200.00 Value and the Giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere!

The Giveaway will end at Midnight Friday November 19th CST and be announced on Saturday November 20th!

K: What inspired you to get in the business of interior design?

J: My mother, whom, when I was a child, always seemed like an embarrassment to me. Too much style and very flamboyant in dress and home design from my friends’ mothers. I did not realize until much later how she influenced me. Every summer, when I went off to camp, I would come home to a newly designed bedroom. It was always done so differently from my girlfriends’ bedrooms.

I would quake when she came to the PTA meetings in capes and big fur hats!I studied art throughout school, and always seemed to live in run-down rentals that needed to be fluffed up. This is where I really began to experiment with interior design.

I also had a generous dose of artistically gifted friends who were in various fields in New York City that opened my eyes to color, lighting, furniture spacing, visual design and historical elements. The museums, fashions, the architecture...it was such an amazing place to get a design education.

K: How did the collecting of unique fabrics begin?

J: I was always attracted to fabrics. When I was young, my mother (it all seems to keep coming back to my mother doesn’t it!?) had huge trunks filled with gowns that were made of amazing fabrics that we could play “dress up” in. In particular, I remember being so enthralled by a dark blue taffeta dress that had a beautiful velvet ribbon tie belt.

Living in Europe I learned what a well-made bed was...the sheets fell just right because of their weight, colors were so different, the embroidery and monograms breathtaking and goose down comforters. That’s when fabrics started really “talking” to me.

K: Tell me about your assortment of fine collectibles if you have more than pillows.

J: There is the danger that once I buy more than one of something I love, it can lead to a collection. Over the years, various collections have ebbed and flowed, but the mainstays have been books (I’ve always collected books), tartan ware is a favorite, antique trims, one-of-a-kind costumes and I am always on the hunt for ecclesiastical embellishments (yes, I’m bound to be damned for all time.) I love finding oddities, such as glass eyeballs and famous writers Funeral Cards. I am always on the lookout for Victorian bamboo and paisleys.

K: When did you open Grass Harp Interiors?

J: I opened The Grass Harp Antiques and Design Shop in Stone Ridge, New York in the early 90’s. There was such a wealth of good pickings in that part of the country that I always had interesting goods and jobs from clients from the city who had country houses. It was such a fantastic experience. I wanted to name my business after a favorite story by Truman Capote, and I couldn’t very well call it “In Cold Blood Antiques.”

K: Do you have a certain area of expertise in design?

J: I really enjoy working the colors for interiors. I can remember a paint color from 15 years ago, but can’t remember where I parked my car. Paint is such an exhilarating part of interior design. In particular working with light and transitions from room to room – that’s often the hardest decision for a client to make – where does one room/color and another begin.

K: Have you made the fabrics into hanging tapestries,etc, and I did see a chaircovered in the Forest Fables.

J: Many clients have come to me with a fabric or I have found a special piece for them, and I have made wall hangings, fabric screens and throws. Everyone needs a one-of-akind chair for some corner of their home. Partnering a unique fabric with the right style furniture piece is always exciting. It can set an interior apart.

K: Tell me about The Forest Fables Collection:

J: I found the Otomi Indian embroidered fabric in the small village of Tenango de Doria in Hidalgo in the Sierra Madre Mountains, Mexico. I loved the traditional multi colored weaving, but I requested all one color for this collection. Each piece is hand made by the women of the villages and they use no patterns or even draw a design on the fabric.

Each animal, fauna and insect comes from their imagination. No two are alike and I never get tired of looking at them. I have made throws, table cloths for restaurants, bed headboards and pillows in every size and shape. The embroidery is done so well that you can turn the covers inside out and wash them. These pillows have a hidden zipper, small piping and down inserts.

Jane, Thank you so much for the excellent interview and Giveaway!

Images Courtesy of Empress of the Eye

Write or call me for quotes on original works of art or custom commisions!

About Me

The intention of Karena's Blog is to bring attention to the arts of every genre; bringing inspiration to those who read her features on Artists, Architects, Interior Designers, Jewelry and Fashion Designers, etc. Email her @kalbert1@kc.rr.com She is living in the Kansas City area.

Karena has studied art at both the Johnson County Community College, where we have the renowned Nerman Museum; and at UCSD in La Jolla. She has also taken many additional art classes; recently, Mike Savage, Rebecca Pashia, Robert Quackenbush, Ada Koch and others, as well as individual instruction.She is a member of The Kansas City Artists Coalition.

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Karena's mission is to support the arts in all ways. Featuring Artists, Artisans, Jewelry Designers,Interior Designers, Architects and Entrepreneurs.

Her intention is to support the Arts in every genre; bring joy and inspiration to those who view and acquire her art and that of others. Email her for a complete resume and bio.Living in the Kansas City area. She is a member of The Kansas City Artists Coalition.

Karena has studied art at both the Johnson County Community College, where we have the renowned Nerman Museum; and at UCSD in La Jolla. She has also taken many additional art classes; recently, Mike Savage, Rebecca Pashia, Robert Quackenbush, Ada Koch and others, as well as individual instruction.